Merry Monk-Saratoga to open Friday

The Saratoga Springs incarnation of The Merry Monk, a mussels-and-Belgian beer spot in Albany, is due to open Friday afternoon (2/15) at 84 Henry St., site of the former Tiznow.

Co-owner Jeremy O’Brien tells me the core offerings will be the same as at the original: 17 draft Belgian and Belgian-style beers (one more than on tap in Albany), about 100 bottled beers, mussels and frites, and big burgers. Appetizers, salads and sandwiches will be slightly different than at the original Merry Monk, O’Brien says, and will showcase the personality of the new restaurant’s chef, Brady Dillon, who is the son of the Siro’s chef and former owner Tom Dillon. The menu is not yet online. New websites for both Merry Monks are due to launch by the end of the week.

Hours for opening weekend will be from 4 p.m. to close Friday through Sunday (2/15-17). Starting next Monday, regular hours will be 11:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. The telephone number for Merry Monk-Saratoga is 584-MONK (6665).

I am glad they are open for lunch, which is generally more convenient for me than dinner. Disappointing that some of the interesting new places (like Henry Street Taproom) don’t open till late afternoon.

#2, let me know if you put a meetup together. I live about 200 yards from this place. You can email me through my blog (link to this post).